The official newsletter of the Asia Pacific Region (AP) of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), published three times a year.

1. International Day of the
Girl 2015
Blue Oceans Guides Celebrates
International Day of the Girl
The Blue Oceans Group of Bharat Scouts and
Guides, India celebrated the International Day
of the Girl on 11 October 2015 by learning
abou tthe Global Goals of Sustainable
Development.
The Blue Oceans Girl Guides is based in the
Government High School Handiaya (Barnala)
of Punjab, India. Girl Guide leader Amritpal
Kaur shared how the group celebrated the
International Day of the Girl (IDG) this year.
A total of 32 Girl Guides and 10 Scouts
participated in the International Day of the Girl
celebrations in the school. Firstly, the
participants were divided into seven groups.
Each group was given a drawing sheet and
asked to draw ten flowers on it. Some of the
groups were given additional materials to
make sure their flower looked better. The
participants were then asked to stop and
discuss the inequality in the drawing process.
After that, a wooden stool was placed in the
middle of the room. The children were told that
if they felt the drawing condition set were
unfair, then could stand on the stool and speak
out about it. The drawing exercise continued,
with additional unfair conditions being set for
the different group. This time, the children
spoke out and shouted for equality.
Next was the Global Goals Bowling. The Unit
leader gave the children the Goals Success
cards. The 17 Global Goals were written on
the board. If they chose the correct Goal, they
received an opportunity to play the bowling
game. At the end of the activity, the leader
explained why there is a need to have the
Goals and introduced the participants to the 17
Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
After that, the participants were divided into
four zones – People, Planet, Prosperity and
Peace. They were given time to discuss the
topic in their
respective zone.
They designed
their own vision for
a better world. The
activity ended with
the children
coming together
and choosing the
Global Goal that
they would like to
work on – Gender
Equality.
All four groups agreed that education for all,
especially girl education is vital to achieve this
Global Goal. The activities used were adapted
from the 10 Million Voices Activity Pack
launced by WAGGGS for the International Day
of the Girl 2015.

2. 2
December 2015
Asia Pacific Workshop
– Prepared to Learn,
Prepared to Lead,
Philippines
The APR Workshop on Education Programme
and Adult Training, Learning and Development
was held from 7 – 13 December 2015, at the
Ating Tahanan National Training Centre,
Baguio, Philippines. The workshop theme was
“Prepared to Learn, Prepared to Lead”;
designed to equip eight school-based Member
Organizations in the Asia Pacific Region to be
equipped with the knowledge and skills to be
able to review and develop our Member’s
Organization’s Educational Programme and
Adult Training, Learning and Development
programme.
The theme of the workshop was summarised
into one single keyword “girls-led.” The
facilitators role-modelled the theme repeatedly
but it wasn’t until the session “In Our Shoes”
when we organised programmes for the Girl
Scouts in Baguio City that we were hit with the
realisation that most of us leaned towards
“leaders-led” than “girls-led”. That was a huge
revelation – are we stuck in the old styles of
education where we are results-oriented and
dictate to
the girls
about
their
direction
and how
to have
fun, and
have
forgotten
that the
experience of the self-discovered process is
much more empowering? Have we ourselves
been our own obstacles towards our Member
Organization’s Vision?
Of course not! All we need to do is to remind
ourselves that the girls in the 21
st
Century
have needs that are diversely different from
those 100 years ago. That is why we are here
at the workshop.
Hours flew by with us deep in discussion and
as the week came to a close, the majority of
our favourite new tagline “my Brain hurts”
geared towards promising “Eureka” moments.
Madam Perema Ramasamy, Girl Guides
Singapore, shared that “the workshop offered
very clear insight on how to plan and design a
framework aligned with WAGGGS educational
method. We are now equipped with the
necessary knowledge and foresight in which
we will be able to equip our trainers with the
necessary delivery methods directed at the girl
programme.”
As we left the workshop reluctantly bidding our
farewells to our newfound friends, we felt a
sense of empowerment. The next three years
will be undoubtedly be challenging but we
know that we share one voice: together we will
make a difference.
Girl Guides Singapore, Perema Ramasamy,
Janet Kwek, Ng Kim Geok, Jasmine Cheong
Girl Scouts of the Philippines Celebrates
Girl Scout Week with the Launch of
Catholic Guiding Section
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP)
celebrated its annual Girl Scout Week with Girl
Scouts all over the Philippines engaged in
various activities relating to this year's theme,
"Connect, Protect, Respect."
At the national level, the highlight of the
celebration was on 18 September 2015, where
Girl Scouts, headed by GSP National
President Susan Locsin, attended a
Thanksgiving Mass at the Manila Cathedral
Basilica and witnessed the launch of Catholic
Guiding.
Dr. Amelita Dayrit-Go, Membership Committee
Chairperson, said that members of the
Catholic Guiding Section in the Philippines
must first be registered members of GSP.
This section will undertake the same Eight-
Point Challenge Program of GSP, infused with
the values of the Holy Gospel.
The traditional Josefa Llanes Escoda
Ceremony, a yearly observance honoring the
GSP Founder also took place. A tour of GSP's

3. 3
December 2015
new National Heritage Center concluded the
event.
Bridge Between Two Guilds
In keeping with WAGGGS’ 2015 theme of
“Partnership", the Girl Guides Association of
Malaysia’s National Guild and the Trefoil Guild
of Girl Guides Singapore came together for a
joint event called a “Bridge Between Two
Guilds”.
Held at Hotel Grand BlueWave, Johor Baru,
Malaysia, on 14 – 15 November, 18 members
from Trefoil Guild Singapore left in the early
morning to join counterparts for two days of
fun-filled games and activities. The
programme included a dialogue and an
exchange of ideas on what each Guild was
doing and planned to do. A speaker from the
Singapore Scout Association, Mr Anthony Ng,
spoke on “Volunteerism” and how to engage
volunteers to come forward.
Led by the National Guild Commissioner,
Puan Azizah Abdul Majid, the key co-
organisers were Malaysian International
Commissioner, Ms Thammy Chong, and Ms
June L. Angking. Together, they pulled off a
very successful and meaningful event.
Leaders and members from the various States
of Malaysia, such as Sarawak, Sabah,
Penang, Kedah and Selangor, including
Advisor of Girl Guides Association of Malaysia,
Johor Branch, Y.M. Tunku Fatimah Faridah
Binti Tunku Osman, supported the event. She
hosted a sumptuous dinner at her residence,
which saw the participants letting their hair
down. They enjoyed good food, continued
conversations from the earlier part of the day,
and even danced to a live band. The oldest
participant was 85 years old.
As they bonded with each other and actively
participated in the activities, it was evident that
they put into practice the Guide Promise.
Together, they laid the foundation to build and
strengthen close ties between our two Guilds.
The friendships that had been forged over the
two days will continue to last even after the
event. These ties will form the “Bridge
Between Two Guilds”. Through similar events
in the future, we will build more bridges to
other Guilds in the region (e.g. Brunei Trefoil
Guild).
The Trefoil Guild Girl Guides Singapore would
like to express our heart-felt appreciation to
the Malaysian National Guild for hosting such
a wonderful and successful event, which saw
us achieving our goal of "Partnership".
Trefoil Guild President PK Choy
Girl Guides Singapore
“Basic Careers Promoting During Study”
Project for Thai Girls
The Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) Association of
Thailand (GGAT) received a grant from the
Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS Membership
Benefit Fund for training “Basic careers
promoting during study” project in Wieng Pa-
Pao District, Chiang Rai Province, Northern
Region of Thailand.
The objectives of the project were to provide
the opportunity to the less fortunate young
school girls to learn simple vocational skills to
support their families by earning extra income
and avoid being lured to human trafficking due
to lack of income for the family.
Between 6 – 20 October 2015, GGAT
provided basic training for 60 girls aged 10
and 18 years. They were trained in Girl Guides
activities to be able to work and help each
other, themselves, friends and family with
dignity.
The girls trained in four basic career skills
such as sewing bags, making handcraft
souvenirs and Lanna Lamp, cooking and
native Thai pastry baking.

4. 4
December 2015
After the training, they visited places in Chiang
Mai and will complete small income-generating
activities in their area.
Some quotes from the project participants:
“Hello, My name is Sasikan Sae Mouw. I
come from Pong Nok school. I come to train in
this project which promotes the vocational
training for girls and young women. I have
received training on basic occupations such as
sewing, cooking, making artificial flowers. I am
very impressed in cooking because I can cook
for my family, and simple cooking that can be
sold as income during the study. Thank you all
the teachers for sharing their knowledge to
me.”
“Hello, My name is Nattha Wiangbaprot. I
come from Mae Tala school. I was trained by
this project which trained young women to
develop skills. I learned basic career things
such as baking, sewing, fabrication jobs,
cooking, lovely pastry. Because I can make
and sell in school and in the community, l will
have income during my studies. Thank you all
trainers.”
“Hello, Meesaa Mayuarit is my name. I come
from the Foundation of Krunum. I have studied
many things from this training, such as
cooking, flower
decorating, to be
deployed in the
Foundation and my
instructors will
bring products to
Chiang Saen
district market. I
gain knowledge
from many
teachers. Thank
you”
Filipino Girl Scouts Say “Register, Be
Prepared to Vote”
Thousands of Filipino Girl Scouts gathered in
Intramuros, Manila, Philippines on 18
September 2015 to support the Philippine
Commission on Elections’s (COMELEC) “No
Bio, No Boto” campaign encouraging people to
complete their biometrics, so they would be
able to vote in the coming national election in
2016.
“This initiative will help open the eyes of Girl
Scouts to the significance of the right to
suffrage, as well as make their families and
relatives aware of the importance of biometrics
in the upcoming election” said Susan Locsin,
National President of the Girl Scouts of the
Philippines (GSP).
“The Girl Scouts are the best people to
encourage their parents and other family
members to register or validate their
registration, so they can vote next year,” said
Andres Bautista, Chairman of COMELEC, who
graced the occasion and witnessed the Girl
Scouts in action.
The Filipino Girl Scouts undertook several
other activities supporting the campaign to
remind their families, relatives, friends, and
social media friends who are of voting age to
update their biometrics at the Office of the
Election Officer of the city/municipality where
they reside.
These are just some of the many ways Girl
Scouts contribute to nation building.
Filipino Girl Scouts Share the Fight Against
Breast Cancer
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP)
supported the awareness and fundraising
campaign initiative of Avon, through the Avon
Walk for a Purpose Crusade held on 10
October 2015 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds,
Pasay City, Philippines.
100 Junior, Senior and Cadet Girl Scouts from
Metro Manila Councils and National
Headquarters Professional Staff joined the
Walk. By participating in this campaign, GSP
believes that this will help girls and young
women increase their level of awareness,
raise funds, and reach out to countless women
as more and more people become involved to
prevent and fight breast cancer.

5. 5
December 2015
The fundraising efforts were able to establish
and maintain the Philippine General Hospital-
Avon Breast Care Center and support selected
provincial hospitals nationwide.
Japanese Girl Scout Inspired at the
“Women in the World Summit”
The “Women in the World Summit” was held in
London on 8 – 9 October 2015 and a
Japanese Girl Scout, Yukine Kawamura,
attended the event as a delegate of
WAGGGS. Yukine, 16 years old, was inspired
a lot and started her journey to change the
world.
"What I have done in London. I was
empowered to change world.”
23 young women from 10 Member
Organizations; Argentina, Australia, Brazil,
Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland,
Japan, UK and USA, gathered in London to
attend the “Women in the World Summit” as
the WAGGGS delegation. Dove, sponsor of
the Free Being Me programme in partnership
with WAGGGS, sponsored the event.
“I attended the event as the representative of
Girl Scouts of Japan, and as a member of the
delegation from WAGGGS. And I came back
as a member of Generation Girl (*).
Participating in the programmes including the
pre-session for the WAGGGS delegation,
listening to stories told on the stage, and
talking with amazing women, I was
encouraged very effectively. Getting concrete
ideas, skills and hints from them, I understood
that there are lots of things I can do right
away! And I realized this is empowering girls.
Empowerment is the best souvenir I received
in London.
From now on, I will take action to change the
world. Rather, there is no way to stay quiet.
I’m proud of myself involved in this event as
the representative of Girl Scouts of Japan. It
was an unforgettable experience and I couldn’t
have such a great opportunity in Japan.
Because of the language problem, it was
frustrating not to be able to talk in English what
I wanted to say.
Actually, I wrote
some sentences
in Japanese on
the evaluation
form. However, it
was truly
amazing
experience for
me. Now, I am
different from
who I was.
Thank you so much for giving me such a great
opportunity."
Yukine Kawamura, Troop 51 of Nara Council,
Girl Scouts of Japan
*'Generation Girl' is a movement to inspire and
encourage young women and girls to recognize
their potential, pursue excellence and be
undeniable.
Indian Leaders are Introduced to Surf
Smart and Free Being Me
The Guide House Jalandhar, India organised a
Basic Course Camp and Advance Course
Camp for 47 Guide Captains and Flock
Leaders. During this course, under the
guidance of Sarabjeet Kaur (S.T.C. Guide)
and Neeta Kasyap (S.O.C. Guide), the Surf
Smart and Free Being Me programmes were
followed by Amritpal Kaur (Guide Captain –
G.H.S.) and Handiaya (Barnala).
The Surf Smart activities introduced were:
Connect Positively – the participants
discussed the disadvantages of the internet
and they shared positive online sites.
What‘s The Message? – Guide Captain was
given a phrase. Then she drew a picture on
the board that depicts the message given in
the respective phrase. The participants are
directed to determine the message that they
are receiving from the picture. They all gave
different views and none guessed correctly.
After that, they are explained that messages
can change online. We had a discussion on
how much control do we have over posted
information online.

6. 6
December 2015
Protect Yourself From Online Risks – the
participants discussed the three basic tips to
keep themselves safe online. They also
shared ways of making perfect passwords.
Respect Your Rights and Reputation online –
The participants were paired, and asked to
consider the reputation they portray when they
post something online. Tips were provided on
how they can maintain a good online
reputation.
Through participating in a number of the Free
Being Me activities, Leaders were exposed to
the (mis)conception of beauty; discussed
where the Image Myth has come from; the
costs involved with maintaining this standard
of ‘beauty’;
designed
their own
magazine
covers and
expressed
their own
feelings
about Free
Being Me.
NZ Brownies Helping Those in Need
Collecting food for those in need was the top
choice for Brownies in Rotorua, New Zealand,
as their community project.
The local newspaper, the Rotorua Daily Post,
was gathering food for the Salvation Army
foodbank as part of its Christmas Appeal.
Debbie Cobby, leader of 24th Rotorua
Brownies, said that in September the girls
completed a 12-hour service day by helping
out various community organisations around
Rotorua, one of which was the foodbank.
"We wanted to add to that and make it bigger
and better," Debbie Cobby said. "We talked
with the girls about what the foodbank was
and how they could help contribute towards it.
The girls were each given a large brown paper
bag that they decorated and used to collect
food, with the help of their parents, friends and
neighbours.
Many walked around their street with their
parents and collected their food that way. We
sent out 24 bags, one for each of the girls, and
we have trolley loads full of food that they
collected."
Debbie Cobby said she was extremely proud
of the commitment and effort the girls had put
into the collection and that they were
extremely proud that they had filled the Guide
hall with food for those in need at Christmas
time.
Girl Scouts of the Philippines Joins the
Fight to End Extreme Poverty
Senior Girl Scouts and Troop Leaders from
Manila Council, together with Girl Scouts of
the Philippines (GSP) National Headquarters
staff, participated in the United Nations’ (UN)
commemoration of the International Day for
Eradication of Poverty and the Philippines’s
National Week for Overcoming Extreme
Poverty on 21 October 2015, at the
Commemorative Stone Marker of the Victims
of Extreme Poverty in Rizal Park, Manila.
The International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty is celebrated every 17 October
throughout the world. It was officially
recognized by the UN in 1992, but the first
commemoration of the event took place in
Paris, France in 1987 when over 100,000
people gathered in the Human Rights and
Liberties Plaza at the Trocadéro to honour
victims of poverty, hunger, violence, and fear.
The program aims to gather citizens and
public and private institutions to express their
rejection of extreme poverty through the theme
“Building a sustainable future: Coming
together to end poverty and discrimination”.
This year's commemoration is significant,
being the first observance following the formal
adoption of the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) by the UN General Assembly to
replace the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs).
Joining this event increased the Girl Scouts’
level of awareness on poverty and strengthen
their conviction to help end poverty. Girl
Scouts performed the entrance of colours and
the singing of the Philippines’ national anthem.
During the program, they also expressed their
opinion regarding poverty by writing on the
freedom wall.
Photo
01

7. 7
December 2015
Various activities were undertaken by Girl
Scout Councils nationwide to support this
campaign. This year's Poster and Universal
Prayer were shared on Girl Scout social
networking platforms for mass advocacy. Last
year, around 500 livelihood projects in different
communities were implemented through the
Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme.
Voices Against Violence Curriculum
Launched in Japan!
Girl Scouts of Japan (GSJ) launched Voices
against Violence (VAV) Curriculum! On 21 and
22 September 2015, GSJ held a VAV Training
Session for Trainers. It aimed to increase skills
to deliver the programme for girls and young
women. 28 Trainers participated in the training
and developed an understanding of the
curriculum.
In Japan, we have been working for the
WAGGGS 'Stop the Violence' campaign since
2012. GSJ focused on 'Dating Violence' to
increase awareness of violence to young
women. About 20,000 people in total have
been involved in the campaign during the
three years. To expand the campaign, GSJ
introduced the VAV curriculum and provides it
to girls and young women to learn about
various forms of violence and how to prevent
them. GSJ is going to deliver the curriculum all
over Japan and empower girls and young
women. The 28 Trainers and 9 members who
attended the ACTIVATE training at Sangam in
December 2014 will organise additional
trainings for more Leaders. Prior to the roll-out
of the curriculum, GSJ established a 'Child
Protection Policy' in May 2015.
WAGGGS’ Girl Guide and Girl Scout
Experience Forum 2015, Oman
The room started filling with sights of beautiful
smiles, sounds of greetings from different
languages, and with the smell of freshly
brewed coffee, sweet smell of cookies it was a
delightful scene. Familiar signs and symbols.
Yes! 100 members from 44
different destinations in one
room – together in Oman from
28 November – 2 December.
It was a total heavenly
moment and ecstasy of
Omani hospitality.
The second day began with the beautiful
ceremony with Arabic melody by the scouts of
Sultanate of Oman. The inspirational
ceremony was concluded with a speech by
Mariyam, a young leader. "Volunteerism is not
about spending your free time it is about
helping others without expecting anything in
return"
So much appreciation goes to the technology.
The whole event was live streamed for anyone
and everyone to join world wide. The key
questions tweeted by the participants and
WAGGGS paved way for many to join the
event from far and near. Greatly proven that
technology is vital today for anything and
everything, however the importance of keeping
our culture is worthy to note.
It was the best example for all of us that most
of the sessions were facilitated by various
Member Organizations (MOs) so that the
whole event was "girl-led" Such inspirational
and enriching projects were shared by MOs
provided hope and unstoppable courage to try
new things. The dynamic group discussion
among MOs provided much needed ideas to
tackle different issues faced by different MOs.
The sessions varied from tasting very bad
lollies to hearing about how small initiatives
are now world recognized projects.
Discussions about the latest research by
different MOs to lots of challenges some MO’s
are facing. The importance of making the
whole movement girl-led. Ways and means to
make it more meaningful and accessible to
everyone. In addition, the ideas market made

8. 8
December 2015
it more interesting and provided opportunity for
everyone to land at the perfect spot for
partnership. Displays from camping
equipment’s to discussions on adult trainings
programs made it not only colourful but richly
informative.
The light bulb filled with small piece of papers
was bliss for all. So many ideas, skills and
amazing experiences shared were a
stimulating bright light.
Yes! “If we keep doing the same thing, we will
keep getting the same result”. Indeed we are
evolving and we shall evolve based on spot-on
needs. The whole aim of Oman Forum 15 was
to gather successful stories, collect the best
and most effective tools, develop partnerships,
think of great strategies to modernize the Girl
Guide movement and develop the best
features to deliver the programme to today’s
generation.
Definitely the theme talked itself. The forum
was about “Friends, Fun, Freedom, Future" As
the light bulb shows it was a great network of
making friends, developing partnership and
shaping the future. It was a unique and great
learning experience for all.
Huge appreciation to Oman Guides and
Scouts for the amazing hospitality, the Arab
Region and WAGGGS for the wonderful
initiative. Indeed the first Girl Guide and Girl
Scout experience is special in every way and
made us grow wider, showed us to be BOLD
and BRAVE.
The suitcase of 100 participants was heavy at
the end of the day not just with souvenirs and
gifts from Oman, but with ideas, strategies,
hope, and inspiration. The best kind of tool box
one would need to spread the Guiding light.
Rasheeda Najeeb, Maldives Girl Guides
Making Missions Possible for NZ Young
Leaders
With the theme of Mission I’m Possible, New
Zealand’s Young Leaders Event encompassed
adventure, challenge and reflection on the
participants’ own journey and discovery into
their personal strengths and skills.
For some young leaders, Mission I’m Possible
was the first time they had attended such an
event, and having only become qualified
leaders they didn’t really know anyone else
attending or what to expect over the weekend.
During the three day event, emotions and self
esteem were covered along with an
explanation of advocacy and how they could
use advocacy in their programme, including
the WAGGGS Stop the Violence campaign,
Free Being Me and the WAGGGS/Dove Self
Esteem Project.
A speaker from A Girl Called Hope presented
to the group. It is a non–profit organisation that
works with young women who face life–
controlling issues and behaviour, such as
abuse, addictions, depression, eating
disorders, self-harm and unplanned
pregnancy.
The participants in Mission I’m Possible went
out and purchased gifts and items for the
young women who will be living in this
residential facility over Christmas.
“To have a speaker from A Girl Called Hope
and then actually do something to help,
instead of just hearing about it and then
forgetting to do anything, was brilliant”.
Tree Adventures offered participants a very
physical and emotional part of the weekend
that involved individual challenge and
overcoming personal barriers, but also working
together and supporting each other. They
embraced the challenge and the
encouragement, and conquered the challenge!
As part of the problem solving aspect, Escape
Masters was an exhilarating adventure at an
inner city indoor games room which tested
participants’ ability to work together to find
clues, solve puzzles and crack the code to
escape from the room, all limited by time.

9. 9
December 2015
GirlGuiding NZ believes it is important for
young leaders to grow and gain skills and that
Guiding can help them do that. With the
average age of attendees at 24, one of the
sessions was on hearing from women, who
have been in Guiding for years who are taking
every opportunity they can to become more
involved.
“I understand that girls are not immune to the
pressures contributing to low self-confidence.
The presentation of the programme with
simple, easy to understand activities and a
dedicated training workshop makes it a very
appealing programme to implement in my own
unit”.
Mission I’m Possible was completely funded
by the Asia Pacific Project 3L funding.
Bangladesh’s 8
th
National Rangers Camp
“Nothing’s Impossible” was the theme and
Guiding message behind the 8
th
National
Rangers Camp 2015 organized by
Bangladesh Girl Guides Association (BGGA)
in its Camp Area at Baroipara in Kaliakoir
upazila under Gazipur district. The Rangers
attended the Camp, participated in various
program events and enjoyed its proceedings
for five days from 6 – 10 August 2015. BGGA
National Commissioner Sayeda Rehana Imam
inaugurated the Camp.
About 450 Rangers, Ranger Guides,
Commissioners, local and district-level BGGA
Guide Members representing college,
university and independent Rangers Units
from all over the country took part in the five-
day long camp.
The Rangers were sub-divided into seven sub-
camps in order to facilitate their effective
participation in various programmatic
exercises around such items as accu-
pressure, log-book preparation, adventurism,
skin and mouth care, etc.; in addition, there
was a cuisine contest along-side focus on
culture and tradition representing different
regions as well as a session on Free Being
Me. Rangers visit to Gazipur Old Home
(dwelling for the needy persons in fallen age)
was a noteworthy aspect of camp exercise,
where they gave company to the elderly
inmates. The Rangers got very lively and
elated when they went to nearby Nandon Park
and enjoyed various merry-making options
available there. In fact, the Rangers took
optimum interest in all the exercises
programmed for them in the camp.
Chief Guest Mr. S M Alam praised the BGGA
agenda and called on the Rangers to continue
their social service with sincerity and diligence
in aid of the needy people; on his part, he
assured all-out support and cooperation to
BGGA programs in Gazipur. Later, he
distributed certificates and prizes amongst the
successful participants.
Leading business firms and corporate bodies
of the country offered their helping hands to
BGGA in organizing the Camp. NCC Bank,
PRAN group, Laz Pharma and Ispahani
Mirzapur Tea sponsored camp souvenirs
through advertisement; plus PRAN group,
Nabisco Biscuit Company, Maggi Noodles and
Ispahani Mirzapur Tea supplied food for all
during the camp days.
12 Singapore Girl Guides Receive the
Highest Award
Twelve Girl Guides from Girl Guides
Singapore (GGS) were conferred the 2015
President’s Guide Award by Singapore
President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana
during the award ceremony on 2 December
2015.
The President’s Guide Award (PGA) is the
highest honour bestowed on our nation’s most
all-rounded Girl Guides in recognition of their
excellent performance, dedication to the
Movement and service to the community. The
award represents the pinnacle of achievement
for these Girl Guides and indicates their
preparedness for a lifetime of service to God,
nation and all mankind.

10. 10
December 2015
The tremendous support these recipients
received from their respective schools,
Principals, Guiders and parents made it
possible for them to overcome the rigours of
various stringent tests in order to attain the
Award.
PGA recipient Bernice Lim Si Min expressed
gratitude for “the support of my Guiders, fellow
Guides, family and friends”, and how she
learnt firsthand that “as long as we are
prepared, we can overcome all difficulties.”
Another recipient Sarah Foo Phey Shin was
inspired by her grandfather, who was a
Queen’s Scout Award recipient in 1952, to
take on Guides as a school core-curriculum
activity. “The Guiding journey, with its many
activities such as camping, has helped me to
acquire many ‘back-to-basic’ survival skills,
which are often neglected in this technology
age. I’ve also learnt that I can pick myself up
and hold my head high each time I fail and to
keep trying until I succeed,” she said.
Katherine Ler Kai Ting “enjoyed giving back to
society and bringing smiles to the faces of
people in need in the many service and
volunteer projects.” Community service is one
of the components of the PGA.
GGS congratulate all recipients on their
achievements and for being role models for
fellow Guiding members.
Philippine Girl Scouts Join Olave 2015
International Camp
Five Cadet Girl Scouts (CGS) and four adult
leaders from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines
(GSP) participated in the Olave 2015
International Camp from 1 – 8 August, at
Blackland Farm, East Grinstead, UK.
The event
was
organized by
the Girl
Guiding
Sussex East
and intended
for Girl
Guides, Girl
Scouts, and
Senior
Section from around the world. Activities were
based around the six zones: Earth, Wind, Fire,
Water, Sports, and Creativity.
The Philippine campers' skills, talents, and
friendliness shone throughout the international
camp. CGS Demie Fresco won in the camp
talent show contest with amazing performance
of the song "Flashlight."
“This international camp was full of fun. GSP
participants will forever fondly remember this
camp experience!” said CGS Rachel Aglaua.
Senior and Ranger Camp in Japan
On 2 – 5 August 2015, Senior and Ranger
Camp was held at Togakushi Girl Scout
Center in Nagano under the theme of
"Science". This was a national level camp and
200 Senior Girl Scouts and 58 Ranger Girl
Scouts gathered from all over Japan.
The programme included sessions facilitated
by experts on science, outdoor cooking,
charcoal making, making musical instruments
from bamboo and so on. Participants learned
scientific views through experiences and
worked on activity sheets. One of the experts
was a staff of Nagano Local Meteorological
Office. Participants learnt about the weather
and increased their understanding on scientific
thinking. After the session, they were
challenged to predict the weather and found
that all weather forecasts were provided based
on scientific evidence.
Girl Scouts who joined a programme to think
about science through making Udon noodles
said, "At first, I could not understand how we
think about science through noodle making.
But through the experience, I found that we
are using scientific thinking in normal cooking.
Depending on the type of flour, amount of salt
and/or water added to the flour, we need to
change the length of time required to boil the
noodles. That is the science."
The camp provided an opportunity for the Girl
Scouts to raise awareness that science is not
a difficult study, and scientific thinking is
utilized in everyday life.

11. 11
December 2015
Bangladesh’s 12
th
National Guide Camp
Seven-day “Twelfth National Guide Camp
2015” was organized by Bangladesh Girl
Guides Association (BGGA) in its Camp Area
at Baroipara in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, from 2 –
8 September 2015; with more than 1,000
Guides, Guiders, Commissioners, local and
district-level BGGA Guide Members aged 11
to 16 representing different schools within nine
BGGA regions took part in the Camp.
Theme of this year’s Camp was “Let us build a
prosperous country amidst global friendship”.
Referring to National Education Policy,
Government of Bangladesh (GOB) Education
Secretary called on all concerned to expand
Girl Guides program and boost up Guiding
activities in all schools, colleges, madrassas,
universities and technical institutes; he
expected all Guides to be worthy citizens of
the country.
Earlier, the Secretary visited the sub-camps
and observed various gadgets (chair, table,
utensils container, cloth-stand, etc.) made by
the Guides representing different BGGA
regions; he spoke highly of the Guides
programs and performance.
Main Camp was divided in nine sub-camps,
and the Guides took active interest in all the
programmed events including visit to Nandon
Park and Ansar Academy which was one of
prime camp agenda.
Camp programs included hoisting of national
flag and Girl Guides flag, physical exercise,
gadget making, etc., as well as orientation
sessions on primary health care and personal
hygiene, dos and don’ts during adolescence,
drug addiction impact and way-out, stop the
violence, women leadership and
empowerment, Free Being Me, etc.
In his speech at campfire, the GOB Minister of
War of Liberation Affairs, Muktijoddha Mr.
AKM Mojammel Haque, MP, reminded all of
Bangladesh government’s extreme priority
attached to the women in all plans and
programs. He called on the Girl Guides
authority to mobilize the Guides towards
community service along different government
development initiatives with due cooperation
from the relevant government agencies. Later,
the Minister participated and enjoyed the
colourful musical soiree performed by the
Guides coming from various BGGA regions.
BGGA National Commissioner Sayeda
Rehana Imam chaired the function; welcome
address came from Ms. Rahenara Begum,
Regional Commissioner of BGGA Chittagong
and BGGA Khulna Regional Commissioner
Ms. Mousufa Begum offered vote of thanks.
Girl Scouts of Japan Empower Young
Women by Asia Pacific Project 3L in 2014
Girl Scouts of Japan (GSJ) implemented three
sessions to empower young women for Project
3L in 2014. GSJ explored current needs of
young women and needed skills through three
sessions, and established a platform of
programmes for young women. Sessions were
held in September 2014 at Girl Scout House in
Tokyo, and in December and March at Kobe-
City Youth Hall in Hyogo with the cooperation
of Hyogo Council. There were 54 participants
in total and they developed skills to speak out,
to make positive choices and to be a leader at
the various situations.
The first session was facilitated by young
women with WAGGGS' Global Trainers'
support who visited Japan for Free Being Me
training. And some young women who
participated this session became the
facilitators of the second and third sessions.
This provided good opportunities to implement
the skills they learnt and evaluate it to develop
further. Based on the first and second
sessions' evaluation, GSJ developed a pilot
programme for young women. It was
implemented at the third session under the
theme of "Find out your strength to develop
skills needed as a Leader".
Hiromi Sakamoto (Troop 33, Hyogo Council),
who attended the second and third sessions,
said, "It was the first time to hear the words of
peer-education and facilitator. It was a good
opportunity to consider the role of facilitator
and how to elicit diverse opinions. I have been
working as a Leader for girls and used to work
with girls, but no experience to facilitate a
group of young women in the same age. It was
different and difficult.
During the session, there was an activity
where team members must cooperate. Then, I
had an order secretly to act a ‘sabotage’

12. 12
December 2015
person who retards progress by not
cooperating with other team members. Team
members other than me cooperated well and
tried to kindly listen to me no matter what I
said. They worked hard to understand me and
make me involved as a team member. As I
was just acting the role, I could see their kind
support and sincerely appreciated their efforts.
I really wanted to cooperate with them, but I
had to keep disturbing. As a result, we could
understand why it is important to be a good
facilitator through the experience. We will meet
with uncooperative people in society, and it will
take time to elicit their cooperation and we
need to keep supporting them. Through the
sessions, I realized that each of us needs to
develop skills. Developing facilitator skills as a
part of empowerment will bring further
development of Girl Scouting. Also, I think if
we, young Leaders, could involve actively in
Girl Scouting, we can be role models and bring
positive development for Girl Scouting."
GSJ will continue the study on programme
development for young women. And GSJ aims
to develop programmes to increase
presentation skills, facilitation skills,
leadership, and management skills for young
women.
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines Holds “A
Day with the Girl Scouts with Special
Needs”
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) held
its annual event, “A Day with the Girl Scouts
with Special Needs” at the GSP National
Headquarters, Manila, Philippines, on 23 July
2015. This is in celebration of the 37th
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation (NPDR) Week with the theme:
"Health and Wellness Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities Toward Inclusive
Development for All.”
“GSP supports all endeavours that promote
opportunities for Persons with Special Needs.
We believe that both moral and legal
frameworks are readily available, and
enforcement of laws and policies are equally
important in ensuring that Persons with
Special Needs receive the attention they
deserve,” said GSP National President Susan
Locsin.
93 Girl Scouts, 119 Troop leaders, parents,
council, and regional staff from Northern,
Central, and Southern Luzon Regions and
National Headquarters gathered to celebrate
the day.
Girl Scout participants visited the National
Heritage Center and enjoyed learning at the
interactive museum. Simultaneous activities
on health and wellness were offered: proper
handwashing, facilitated by Dr. Epifania
Dungca from Tarlac Council and GSP’s Touch
(a simple back massage), facilitated by Ladie
Bainza, Trainer from Makati Council.
A Do-It-Yourself crafts showcased the
creativity of the Girl Scouts with special needs.
Their talents were shown through dancing and
singing. Gespie, the official GSP mascot,
performed a dance number to the delight and
appreciation of the audience. Museo
Pambata’s shadow play elicited interest from
the girls.
“When I watch these children dance together, I
can’t help myself from getting emotional,
because I can really see genuine smiles and
pure happiness from their faces. There’s a lot
to know more and see from them. They have
talent and magic that can captivate your
heart,” said Cadet GS Katrina Lerios, now in
her third year of volunteering for this event.
Korean International Service Camp in
Mongolia 2015
National Young Leader’s Committees of Girl
Scouts of Korea (GSK) carried out an
International Service Camp in Mongolia at the
Mary Ward Center, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
from June 30 – July 8 2015 which was partly

13. 13
December 2015
sponsored by FAPW. The camp was
implemented as a joint program with 12
Korean Girl Scouts and 13 Mongolian Girl
Scouts and 70 children, partly with ten French
Catholic Scouts, to have an aim at activating
Mongolian Girl Scouting.
Korean young leaders organized troop
meetings for the Mongolian youth and girls to
enjoy the Girl Scout programs such as craft,
science, music, art and physical activities and
local youth and children who participated in
the programs earned some interest patches.
They also cleaned and repaired facilities in the
meeting places and painted the stairs and
walls of troop meeting place of Mary Ward
Center. Moreover, they built the ger, the
Mongolian traditional nomadic house, for one
underprivileged family with the financial
support from GSK and Korean Young leaders’
fund-raising. This family was delighted to get a
new house and appreciated the Girl Scouts.
During the Camp, Korean young leaders
developed their leadership by planning and
implementing the programs by themselves as
well as global citizenship by exchange
program. For example, Korean, Mongolian and
French youth leaders learned and shared each
country’s scouting and culture through cultural
exchange program like song, dance games as
well as general conversation and opinion
sharing. Moreover, Korean and Mongolian
youth leaders introduced each country’s food
such as Khuushur, stir-fried rice cake and
noodle and so on.
Participants felt some difficulty at first because
of language barrier and cultural difference, but
warm-heartedness and friendship based on
the spirit of Girl Scouts among Korean and
Mongolian Girl Scouts made the project as a
successful and joyful one with uniting them
into one. Mongolian Girl Scouts will keep
learning the spirit of Girl Scouts and growing
as years go by. Korea National Young
Leaders’ Committee will keep trying to
exchange with Mongolian Girl Scouts and to
develop networking with other MOs to make
this camp as a more international one.
Training Workshop at Bangladesh Girl
Guides Association, Supported by the Girl
Scouts of the Philippines
A week-long training workshop ran from 9 – 16
September 2015, was organized at the Guide
House National Headquarters by Bangladesh
Girl Guides Association (BGGA) under the
auspices of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines
(GSP), Asia Pacific Region. Commissioners,
Guiders, Rangers, Trainers, Youth Leaders
and BGGA Office staff took part in the training
course.
Four international trainers from the GSP, Dr.
Fe Violeta B Taring (Central Board Member,
National Training Committee Chairperson), Dr.
Josefina M Parentela, (National Secretary,
National Program Committee, Vice
Chairperson), Dr. Psyche M Sucaldita (Central
Board Member, National Training Committee,
Vice Chairperson), and Ma. Carmen B
Gerundio (National Training Director, Girl
Scouts of Philippines) ran the workshop. The
training course featured the topics/issues like
Eliminate, Reduce, Raise, personality
assessment, volunteer-staff partnership,
expectation check, directions for the review,
girls and young women today, program
framework, badge work, out of doors, patrol
system by age level, and implementation of
the program.
The participants showed keen interest in the
all exercises, taking active part in the
discussion sessions, enjoying the proceedings
and making the event vibrant and enterprising;
grey areas were well spotted and facilitators
suggested suitable responses during
implementation according to the situation and
context.
Syeda Rehana Imam, BGGA National
Commissioner, and Dr. Fe Violeta B Taring,
GSP, jointly distributed post-training
certificates amongst the participating trainees.
During their official tour in Dhaka on account
of the training course, GSP representatives
also paid a courtesy visit to Dhaka University
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. AAMS Arefin
Siddiqui at the Varsity campus on 16
September. Syeda Rehana Imam, BGGA, led
the team. They had a very cordial discussion
on various aspects and features of education
system in Bangladesh and the Philippines.

14. 14
December 2015
Later, the Filipino trainers presented a
Certificate of Honour to the Dhaka University
VC; and the VC also reciprocated on his part
by offering DU pleasantries to the team.
Olave Program Update in Australia
The Olave Program is for members of Guiding
in Australia aged 18 – 30, and focuses on the
three aspects of community, adventure and
self-development. Olaves take opportunities
to:
 make a positive difference in their
communities through volunteering,
service and advocacy;
 challenge themselves through new
experiences especially in the outdoors
and internationally; and
 develop skills and knowledge to
enable them to grow as individuals.
The Olave Program is underpinned by the
Guide Promise and Law and the innovations
and traditions of Australian Guiding.
Following on from a two-year review of the
Olave Program, the National Olave Program
Committee has developed an online mobile-
friendly Olave Program Resource, which is
easy to use anywhere, anytime! Check it out:
www.olaveprogramresource.org.au
The Olave Program Resource has tons of
information about the new Olave Program
Framework, including lots of ideas for activities
for Olaves and Peer Groups under each of the
aspects of Community, Adventure and Self-
development.
It has a large new section about Peer Groups
– setting out everything Olaves need to know
about how Peer Groups start, operate and
thrive. The Olave Program is almost 20 years
old and there is an Olave Program history
section to learn about how it has grown and
developed over the years.
The Olave Program Resource also provides
very easy access to lots of general Guiding
information and resources including Guide
Lines, the Code of Conduct, Adult Endeavours
and more. All the information about the Olave
Program Awards is also in the Resource,
including detailed sections on self and peer
assessment.
The Olave Program Resource will be updated
regularly so that all the information is correct
and up-to-date. There is also a downloadable
PDF version available at:
http://www.girlguides.org.au/public/files/olave/
Olave%20Program%20Resource%202015.pdf
Girl Guides Australia is grateful for the
financial assistance received from Friends of
Asia Pacific WAGGGS Membership Benefit
Fund which assisted with the development of
the Olave Program Resource.
A Japanese Young Woman Enjoys Girl
Guiding in Thailand
A Japanese young Leader, Ikumi Nomura, is
in Thailand for seven months as a Japanese
teacher. She joined Girl Guide/Girl Scout
activities in Thailand and was excited to
experience the strong sisterhood of
international Girl Guides/Girl Scouts.
"I joined Girl Scouts of Japan when I was a six
year old as a Brownie Girl Scout. Since then, I
have been enjoying Girl Scouting for 22 years.
This year, I had an opportunity to work in
Thailand as a Japanese teacher to support a
Thai teacher for seven months from August
2015 to March 2016. I was sent to a school in
Bangkok, Thailand by the Japan Foundation
which is an organization sending Japanese to
support Japanese language education in
Asian countries and providing Japanese
language courses for foreigner in Japan. I
teach Japanese for middle school and high
school students.
For this opportunity, I thought it would be great
to meet with Girl Guides/Girl Scouts sisters in
Thailand. Through Girl Scouts of Japan, I
could reach Girl Guides (Girl Scouts)
Association of Thailand (GGAT). GGAT
warmly welcomed me and invited me to join in

15. 15
December 2015
their activities. I am very glad to have this
opportunity and enjoying every activity in
Thailand.
In Thailand, Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting is
delivered based on schools and it is a part of
school curriculum. It is completely different
from Japan, while we have troops in
communities. I attended Free Being Me Camp
held at a school in Phitsanulok. Because it is a
part of school activity, all girls who go to the
school including non-members can experience
WAGGGS' programme such as Free Being
Me. I thought it is a benefit to have Girl
Guiding/Girl Scouting school-based. It is
enjoyable to experience and exchange the
similarities and differences of Girl Guiding/Girl
Scouting. I would like to continue Guiding
activities in Thailand. It will develop my future
Girl Scouting in Japan. I appreciate the kind
hospitality and support of Girl Guides (Girl
Scouts) Association of Thailand."
Ikumi Nomura, Troop 58, Osaka Council
Philippine Trainers Guide GSP New
Professional Staff
Thirty-four new staff of the Girl Scouts of the
Philippines (GSP) acquired Girl Scouting
knowledge and skills during a three-day
activity-packed Basic Course for Staff from 28
– 30 September 2015, at the Helena Z Benitez
National Program (HZBNPTC) and Training
Center, Tagaytay City, Philippines.
The course aimed to deepen their appreciation
of the values and principles of the
organization, that they may become
competent and committed members of the Girl
Scouting Movement.
The training was conducted by some members
of the senior staff with the full support of
National Executive Director Ma. Dolores
Santiago. Chief Trainer was Assistant National
Executive Director (ANED) for Human
Resources and Administration Rebecca
Basañes with ANED for Program Myra
Contessa Sarmenta and Finance Director Ma.
Vina Bautista as co-trainers. Assisting trainers
were Training Director Ma. Carmen Gerundio,
Personnel Director Roselyn Davadilla,
Publications Head Bella Celeste Velasco,
Training Technical Assistant Priscilla
Moonyeen Montañez, and Program Technical
Assistant Jade Villanueva.
HZBNPTC staff Jennifer Alvarado thanked the
management on behalf of the staff. In her
response, she mentioned how the training
equipped them with skills to help them perform
their tasks.
Quezon City Council Executive Geraldine
Talavera was thankful for the experience, not
only for the knowledge gained, but also for the
friendship formed during the event.
38
th
National Council Session and Election
of Bangladesh Girl Guides Association
The four day 38
th
National Council Session
and Election of Bangladesh Girl Guides
Association (BGGA) took place at BGGA
National Headquarters from 19 –
22 November 2015. Rita Datto, Local
Association Commissioner, local Ranger
Councillor and Ranger Guides of Chittagong
Region presided over the session.
As many as 300 Councillors comprising BGGA
National Executive Committee members,
Commissioners, members of various sub-
committees, Councillors representing all the
BGGA Regions, Guides, Rangers, Youth
Leaders and heads of different Educational
Institutions participated in the session and
election. Begum Salma Jahan, Deputy
Secretary of the Ministry of Education,
Government of the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh, was present on the occasion as
an observer.
The participating Councillors elected the 24
members of the BGGA National Executive
Committee through secret ballot on
21 November for a three-year term spanning
from 2015 to 2018.
Sayeda Rehana Imam, incoming National
Commissioner of BGGA, was elected as
National Commissioner for a second term.

16. 16
December 2015
Dr Aasma Banu and Ms Farzana Sultana were
elected unopposed as BGGA Treasurer and
Youth Leader respectively. Other elected
members for the next term are: Prof. Dr
Yasmin Ahmed, Ms Serajum Munira, Ms
Rahenara Begum, Ms Mousufa Begum, Ms
Monwara Begum, Ms Nurjahan Ara Begum,
Begum Faizun Nahar Shelly, Ms Farida
Yasmin, Ms Nirupa Dewan, Ms Mahfia Parvin,
Ms Rowshan Islam, Ms Bela Rani Sarkar, Ms
Shaheda Hossain Choudhury, Ms Rita Jesmin,
Ms Chand Sultana, Ms Rowshan Ara Khan,
Ms Mariya Yasmin, Dr Razia Sultana Rosy,
Ms Kshamarani Das, Khandokar Afroza
Begum and Ms Ferdousi Akhter Dolly. On
conclusion of the election, Ms Zarina Akhter
conducted the Oath of Office and Secrecy to
the newly elected BGGA Office Bearers and
members.
A two-day business session considered and
approved the Audit Report for the Year 2013-
14 and the Revised Budget for Fiscal 2015-16
involving the BGGA head office and all the
regions.
In addition, the 38th Session determined and
finalised Subscription Rate and/or Fees for
BGGA quota, World Thinking Day, etc., in view
of Sub-Committee Report and Association’s
decision.
Cambodian Guides’ Day Care Center
Girl Guides Association of Cambodia (GGAC)
has long-established Srey Praseur Day Care
Center in Takeo Province to care for children
whose parents are poor so that they can go to
work without worrying about their children. By
providing the day care center, GGAC helps to
reduce poverty rate in Cambodia as poor
parents can earn income through working
instead of having to stay home to care for the
children themselves. GGAC’s day care center
has teachers and cook to care for the children
from age three to six, and is open daily from
7am to 5pm. GGAC has been providing the
day care center for the past 15 years. As Girl
Guides Association of Cambodia’s mission is
to give opportunities to girls and young women
and to unleash their full potential as
responsible citizens of the country and of the
world, we will continue to help the poor by
helping to care for their children while they go
to work. GGAC also has Girl Guides from
Singapore, Malaysia, France, England, and
Australia to visit and do activities at the day
care center every year.
Girl Guides Singapore – Halloween
“Escape Room”
More than 100 Girl Guides, Young Adults and
Guiders participated in the first-ever Escape
Room Activity organised by the Young Adult
Branch of Girl Guides Singapore.
The Escape Room Activity is a physical
adventure game where teams of players are
trapped in rooms, which they have to escape
from within a set time limit. To escape, they
have to solve a series of puzzles and clues in
the room which are built on a theme. The
theme of the Escape Room Activity was that of
a nightmare which trapped the players.
The idea of adopting the Escape Room
Activity as a crowdfunding project sparked off
from a Young Adult Branch brainstorm to seek
new ways of raising funds for its Branch.
Funds were also needed to support an
upcoming service learning trip to a Day Care
Center in Takeo Province, run by the Girl
Guides Association of Cambodia.
Participants worked very closely together
during the game. Girl Guides from Teck Whye
Secondary School shared that they found the
series of puzzles tricky but interesting and fun.
Teamwork and communication played a big
part in solving the puzzles. The Girl Guides
enjoyed the Escape Room thoroughly, with
many hoping to conduct similar activities for
their peers and Girl Guide Company in their
respective schools.

17. 17
December 2015
Young Adult Branch Commissioner, Ms
Valerie Pang shared, “I am glad that the
Young Adult Branch managed to combine all
five elements of WAGGGS’ Educational
Method into this
activity. Not only
did the Young
Adults have fun
preparing it,
participants also
enjoyed the
activity. Most
important of all, all
our efforts have
contributed to a
meaningful
purpose.”
Due to the overwhelming response, the
Escape Room Activity was run for an
additional day, successfully raising enough
funds for the Young Adult Branch and their
service learning project.
Sangam
Become a Sangam Volunteer or Intern!
In 2016, Sangam is turning 50! And you can
apply today to be a Sangam Volunteer or
Sangam Intern during our 50th Birthday
season! Applications are due 31st December
2015! Download the application form here:
http://bit.ly/1OPXx5V
Arts 4 Change, March 2016
Book your place for our amazing Arts 4
Change event from 20 - 29 March 2016.
Melinda Caroll, popular Girl Scout
singer/songwriter from the USA, will be joining!
Learn how we can use art as a tool for social
change! Email
guestservices@sangam.wagggs.org for more
information today!
Friends of Asia Pacific
WAGGGS
6
th
FAPW Regional Gathering
The Asia Pacific Regional (APR) Committee
has invited Friends of Asia Pacific WAGGGS
(FAPW) to hold a Regional Gathering for
FAPW members during the 12th Asia Pacific
Regional Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal in
2016. FAPW members will join the APR
conference delegates at the Opening
Ceremony, Triennial Report of the AP Region
and AP Regional Night and Bazaar.
This will be the 6
th
FAPW Regional Gathering
and will be held at Hotel Yak & Yeti in
Kathmandu, from 29 – 31 August 2016. The
main objectives of the event are to welcome
new and upgrading members, to meet new
and old friends, to conduct a FAPW business
meeting, to explore the rich culture of Nepal
and to participate in some of the program of
the 12th Asia Pacific Regional Conference.
Nepal Scouts have planned an interesting
program for the 6
th
FAPW Regional Gathering,
with the theme “Hamro Danphe”- Connect,
Grow, Impact. They have arranged for some
spectacular pre- and post- event tours and
Sangam is offering a special event after the
Gathering for FAPW members to celebrate
Sangam’s 50
th
birthday.
FAPW Philippines
In November, FAPW
Philippines held a very
enjoyable and successful
event especially for
youth members. Over 70
girls became Crystal
members at this event. In
addition, FAPW
Philippines welcomed
two new Silver members,
three Gold and two Major
Donors.
Silver Elephant and Hansa Putta Awards to
Low Lih Jeng, Asia Pacific Regional
Committee
On 31 October 2015, Low Lih Jeng, Chair,
Asia Pacific Regional Committee WAGGGS,
received the Hansa Puttu (Twin Swans) Award
from Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association

18. 18
December 2015
(SLGGA). The Hansa Puttu Award is the
highest award for SLGGA and this is the first
time it has been awarded to a non-member of
SLGGA for being “a very special friend of the
SLGGA supporting, encouraging and assisting
the SLGGA whenever the need arose and she
was approached for such assistance” and for
“contributions to
the Girl Guide
movement in
general and to
the Asia Pacific
Region of
WAGGGS in
particular”.
Bharat Scouts and Guides of India (BSG)
conferred the Silver Elephant Award to Low
Lih Jeng, in recognition of service of most
exceptional character to the Movement.
The award ceremony was held on 8 December
2015 in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Silver
Elephant is the highest national award in BSG.
The award was presented by the Honourable
President of India, Shri Pranab Muhkerjee.
On receiving both Awards, Jeng
acknowledged "I am totally humbled. Asia
Pacific has done well because of the efforts of
every leader and every girl in the Asia Pacific
Region. I thank everyone who has supported
the AP Region and worked together for our
girls and young women. This gives me great
encouragement to continue to do my best for
the Asia Pacific Region."
Welcome to Aarihant Rai and Welcome
Back to Prerana Shakya. Development
Executive
On a happy note, the AP Family welcomed
with great delight,
the birth of
Aarihant Rai, to
Prerana Shakya
(Development
Executive for
SAARC) and
Aayush Rai, on 23
September. And
we welcomed Prerana back to work from
maternity leave on 7 December.
Farewell to Karen Chatto, Development
Executive
It is with heavy hearts that we will say farewell
to Development Executive Karen Chatto who
will be finishing as an AP staff member at the
end of January 2016. Karen has given much to
the Region especially in the work with
Myanmar and Pacific MOs. Karen also played
a key role in rolling out WAGGGS’ Educational
Programme and Adult Training Learning and
Development our Region. AP Region thanks
Karen for her
dedication and going
beyond the call of duty
on countless
occasions. The impact
of Karen's contributions
will go far beyond the
short two years that
Karen has been with
us.
Karen says “working for WAGGGS, but in
particular the AP Region, has been another
amazing adventure in my Guiding journey. I
have loved meeting all my Guiding/Girl
Scouting sisters when visiting and working
with our MOs, and it’s been fantastic to see
the development in our MOs. I wish AP Region
all the best in its continued growth and spread
of the spirit of Guiding.”
Karen will continue to be active in Guiding – as
a volunteer in her local area, as an accredited
WAGGGS Facilitator, and as a supporter of
projects within the AP Region.
On behalf of the Asia Pacific
Regional Committee and staff – we
wish you and your families a
Merry Christmas and all the very
best for the coming year. We look
forward to working with you in
2016!